Systems and methods for encoding video content

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for encoding a plurality of alternative streams of video content using multiple encoders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. An encoding system includes multiple encoders. Each of the encoders receives a source stream of video content that is divided into portions. Each of the encoders generates portions of the plurality of alternative streams from the portions of the source stream. The portions of the alternative streams generated by a particular encoder are stored in a container for the particular encoder. Each encoder also generates index information for the portion of the alternative stream generated by the encoder that is stored in a manifest for the encoder.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to adaptive streaming and morespecifically to systems that encode video data into streams havingdifferent maximum bitrates and playback devices that use the streams toobtain encoded video content from the encoded streams.

BACKGROUND

The term streaming media describes the playback of media on a playbackdevice, where the media is stored on a server and continuously sent tothe playback device over a network during playback. Typically, theplayback device stores a sufficient quantity of media in a buffer at anygiven time during playback to prevent disruption of playback due to theplayback device completing playback of all the buffered media prior toreceipt of the next portion of media. Adaptive bit rate streaming oradaptive streaming involves detecting the present streaming conditions(e.g. the user's network bandwidth and CPU capacity) in real time andadjusting the quality of the streamed media accordingly. Typically, thesource media is encoded at multiple bit rates and the playback device orclient switches between streaming the different encodings depending onavailable resources.

Adaptive streaming solutions typically utilize either Hypertext TransferProtocol (HTTP), published by the Internet Engineering Task Force andthe World Wide Web Consortium as RFC 2616, or Real Time StreamingProtocol (RTSP), published by the Internet Engineering Task Force as RFC2326, to stream media between a server and a playback device. HTTP is astateless protocol that enables a playback device to request a byterange within a file. HTTP is described as stateless, because the serveris not required to record information concerning the state of theplayback device requesting information or the byte ranges requested bythe playback device in order to respond to requests received from theplayback device. RTSP is a network control protocol used to controlstreaming media servers. Playback devices issue control commands, suchas “play” and “pause”, to the server streaming the media to control theplayback of media files. When RTSP is utilized, the media server recordsthe state of each client device and determines the media to stream basedupon the instructions received from the client devices and the client'sstate.

In adaptive streaming systems, the source media is typically stored on amedia server as a top level index file or manifest pointing to a numberof alternate streams that contain the actual video and audio data. Eachstream is typically stored in one or more container files. Differentadaptive streaming solutions typically utilize different index and mediacontainers. The Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL)developed by the World Wide Web Consortium is utilized to create indexesin several adaptive streaming solutions including IIS Smooth Streamingdeveloped by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., and Flash DynamicStreaming developed by Adobe Systems Incorporated of San Jose, Calif.HTTP Adaptive Bitrate Streaming developed by Apple Computer Incorporatedof Cupertino, Calif. implements index files using an extended M3Uplaylist file (.M3U8), which is a text file containing a list of URIsthat typically identify a media container file. The most commonly usedmedia container formats are the MP4 container format specified in MPEG-4Part 14 (i.e. ISO/IEC 14496-14) and the MPEG transport stream (TS)container specified in MPEG-2 Part 1 (i.e. ISO/IEC Standard 13818-1).The MP4 container format is utilized in IIS Smooth Streaming and FlashDynamic Streaming. The TS container is used in HTTP Adaptive BitrateStreaming.

The Matroska container is a media container developed as an openstandard project by the Matroska non-profit organization of Aussonne,France. The Matroska container is based upon Extensible Binary MetaLanguage (EBML), which is a binary derivative of the Extensible MarkupLanguage (XML). Decoding of the Matroska container is supported by manyconsumer electronics (CE) devices. The DivX Plus file format developedby DivX, LLC of San Diego, Calif. utilizes an extension of the Matroskacontainer format (i.e. is based upon the Matroska container format, butincludes elements that are not specified within the Matroska format).

To provide a consistent means for the delivery of media content over theInternet, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) andthe International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) have put forth theDynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) standard. The DASH standardspecifies formats for the media content and the description of thecontent for delivery of MPEG content using HTTP. In accordance withDASH, each component of media content for a presentation is stored inone or more streams. Each of the streams is divided into segments. AMedia Presentation Description (MPD) is a data structure that includesinformation about the segments in each of the stream and otherinformation needed to present the media content during playback. Aplayback device uses the MPD to obtain the components of the mediacontent using adaptive bit rate streaming for playback.

As the speed at which streaming content has improved. Streaming of liveevents, such as sporting events and concerts has become popular.However, it is a problem to encode the video content from a live eventinto streams for adaptive bitrate streaming. To do so, encoder serversystems typically use hardware encoders that are specifically designedto encode the video content into the various streams. These specializedencoders are expensive to obtain. Thus, those skilled in the art areconstantly striving to find lower cost alternatives to the specializedencoders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods for encoding video content into multiple streamshaving different maximum bitrates and to obtaining the video contentusing playback devices in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention are disclosed. The process in accordance to many embodimentsis performed in the following manner. Each server in an encoding systemreceives portions of a source stream of video content from a contentprovider system. Each of the encoders encodes a portion of thealternative streams using the portions of the source stream received ineach of the encoders. The portions of the alternative streams encoded byeach particular one of the encoders is stored in a container for theparticular one of the encoder. Each of the encoders then generates indexinformation for the portions of the alternatives streams generated bythe each encoder and stores the index information in a manifest for theportion of the alternative streams generated by the particular encoder.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the portion of thealternative streams encoded by each of the encoders is one of thealternative streams and a stream is generated be each encoder in thefollowing manner. The encoder receives each portion of the source streamand encodes a segment of an alternative stream from each portion of thesource stream to generate the segments of the alternative stream. Inaccordance with a number of these embodiments, each particular encoderhas a particular set of parameters for generating a stream. Each encoderalso generates index information for each of the segments generated bythe particular encoder and store the index information in a manifest forthe particular encoder. In accordance with several of these embodiments,the alterative stream generated by a particular encoder has a particularmaximum bitrate as a parameter. In accordance with still further of someof these embodiments, at least two alternative streams of thealternative streams generated by different ones of the encoders have asame maximum bitrate and at least one other parameter that is different.In accordance with many of these embodiments, the at least one otherparameter is selected from a group of parameters consisting of aspectratio, frame rate, and resolution.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the systemincludes N encoders where N is an integer and each of the N encodersencode 1/N of the portions of the source streams into segments of eachof the alternative streams. In accordance with some embodiments theencoding of 1/N portions of the source streams into segments in each ofthe alternative streams is performed in the following manner. Eachencoder is assigned an Mth encoding order where M is an integer from 1to N. Each encoder determines the Mth portion of the source streamreceived and every Nth portion received thereafter from the sourcestream as a set of portions of the source stream for the Mth encoder toencode. The encoding of a portion includes encoding the portion into asegment in each one of the alternative streams. The generating of theindex information includes generating index information for each ofsegments generated for each of the portions in each of the alternativestreams and storing the index information for each of the segmentsgenerated from each portion in the set of portions in a manifest for theMth encoder. In accordance with some of these embodiments, each Mthencoder discards each of the portions that is not in the set of portionsfor the Mth encoder.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a network diagram of an adaptive bitrate streamingsystem in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of components of an encoding serversystem in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of a processing systemin an encoder server system that encodes the video content into streamshaving different maximum bitrates in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of components of a processing systemin a playback device that uses the encoded streams having differentmaximum bitrates to obtain the video content via adaptive bitratestream, encoding system in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow diagram for a process performed by eachencoder in an encoder server system to encode video content into one ofthe streams used in an adaptive bitrate streaming system in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for a process performed by each of Nencoders in an encoder server system to encode each Nth segment of thevideo content in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a process performed by a playbackdevice to obtain the manifest information for the streams and use thestreams to obtain the video content using an adaptive bitrate system inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for encoding videocontent into streams for adaptive bitrate steaming and obtaining thestream using a playback device in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention are illustrated. In accordance with some embodiments ofthis invention, an encoding system includes more than one encoder. Inaccordance with some of these embodiments, the encoders maybe providedby software executed by a processing system in the encoding system. Inaccordance with many embodiments, the encoders may be provided byfirmware in the encoding system. In accordance with a number ofembodiments, the encoders are provided by hardware in the server system.

The encoding system receives a source stream of video content from asource that includes an embedded timestamp. In accordance with someembodiments, the video content is a live feed being recorded inreal-time. In accordance with some of these embodiments, the sourcestream of video content includes a timestamp in accordance withuniversal time.

In accordance with some embodiments, each encoder is used to generate asingle stream of a set of streams to be used for adaptive bitratestreaming of content. In accordance with some of these embodiments, allof the encoders begin receiving portions of the source stream of videocontent and are synchronized using the embedded timestamp within thereceived portions. As each encoder receives portions of the sourcestream of the video content from the source system, the encoders encodethe received portions of the source stream of video content intosegments of a stream having predefined parameters particular to eachencoder. In accordance with some embodiments, the stream produced byeach encoder has a different maximum bitrate (or different targetaverage bitrate) than the streams being generated by the other encoders.In accordance with some other embodiments, other parameters including,but not limited to, aspect ratio, resolution, and frame rate may bevaried in the stream being generated by the various encoders.

Each encoder stores the generated portions in one or more containerfiles for the generated stream in accordance with some embodiments ofthe invention. The encoder also generates index or manifest informationfor each of the generated portions of the streams and adds the generatedindex or manifest information to an index file or manifest in accordancewith many embodiments of the invention. The process is repeated untilthe end of the source stream is received.

In accordance with some other embodiments, the encoding system includesa number of encoders (N) and each encoder encodes a portion (e.g. 1/N)of the source stream multiple times using different sets of encodingparameters to create segments for each of the streams in an adaptationset of streams. In accordance with some of these embodiments, eachencoder is assigned position in the processing order. Each encoder thenbegins to receive the source stream of the video content. As portions ofthe source stream are received by each of the encoders, the encoderdetermines whether a portion is an Nth segment of the source streamassigned to the encoder. If a portion is not an Nth segment, the encoderdiscards the segment. If a portion is an Nth segment, the encoderencodes the received portion into segments in accordance with each ofthe profiles for the various streams in the set of streams and storesthe segments in the container files for the appropriate streams. Theencoder then generates index or manifest information for each of thegenerated segments and adds the information to an appropriate index fileor manifest. In accordance with many of these embodiments, the index ormanifest information is added to a manifest for segments produced by theencoder. In accordance with some other embodiments, the index ormanifest information for each segment produced for the various streamsis added to the index file or manifest maintained for the specificstream and/or stored in a database in memory for future use ingenerating a manifest file. The process is repeated by each of theencoders until each of the encoders receive the end of the sourcestream.

In accordance with some embodiments, the media content is stored instreams in accordance with the DASH standards. However, one skilled inthe art will recognize that the formats such as but not limited to, aMatroska (MKV) container file format may be used to store streams of themedia content without departing from this invention.

The performance of an adaptive bitrate streaming system in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention can be significantly enhanced byencoding each portion of the source video in each of the alternativestreams in such a way that the segment of video is encoded in eachstream as a single (or at least one) closed group of pictures (GOP)starting with an Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) frame, which is anintra frame. The playback device can switch between the alternativestreams used during playback at the completion of the playback of avideo segment and, irrespective of the stream from which a video segmentis obtained, the first frame in the video segment will be an IDR framethat can be decoded without reference to any encoded media other thanthe encoded media contained within the video segment.

In a number of embodiments, the playback device obtains informationconcerning each of the available streams from the MPD and selects one ormore streams to utilize in the playback of the media. The playbackdevice can also request index information that indexes segments of theencoded video content stored within the relevant container files. Theindex information can be stored within the container files or separatelyfrom the container files in the MPD or in separate index files. Theindex information enables the playback device to request byte rangescorresponding to segments of the encoded video content within thecontainer file containing specific portions of encoded video content viaHTTP (or another appropriate stateful or stateless protocol) from theserver. The playback device uses the index information to requestsegments of the video content from the alternative streams in accordancewith some embodiments. Playback is continued with the playback devicerequesting segments of the encoded video content from a stream havingvideo content that is encoded at a maximum bitrate that can supported bythe network conditions.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, the playbackdevice operates in the following manner to use the streams generated bythe multiple encoders in the encoding system. The playback devicerequests the media content that includes the video content. In responseto the request, the playback device receives the MPD or index filemaintained and/or generated by each encoder. The playback devices usesembedded timestamps to then join the MPD or index files from the variousencoders into a combined adaptation set of index information. Theplayback devices then uses the index information from the combinedadaptation set to perform adaptive bitrate streaming to obtain the videocontent. In accordance with some other embodiments, the server generatesa MPD from the MPD or index files generated by each encoder using theembedded time stamps and provides the MPD to the playback devices. Theplayback devices then uses MPD to perform adaptive bitrate streaming toobtain the video content.

The encoding of video content into multiple streams for use in adaptivebitrate streaming using multiple encoders and the process for obtainingthe video content from the generated streams by a playback device usingadaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention is discussed further below.

Adaptive Streaming System Architecture

Turning now to the FIG. 1, an adaptive streaming system that includes anencoding system that generates streams using multiple encoders inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. Theadaptive streaming system 10 includes a source encoding system 12configured to encode source media content including video content as anumber of alternative streams. In the illustrated embodiment, the sourceencoder is a single server. In other embodiments, the source encoder canbe any processing device or group of processing devices including aprocessor and sufficient resources to perform the transcoding of sourcemedia (including but not limited to video, audio, and/or subtitles) intothe alternative streams. Typically, the source encoding server 12generates an MPD that includes an index indicating container filescontaining the streams and/or metadata information, at least a pluralityof which are alternative streams. Alternative streams are streams thatencode the same media content in different ways. In many instances,alternative streams encode media content (such as, but not limited to,video content and/or audio content) at different maximum bitrates. In anumber of embodiments, the alternative streams of video content areencoded with different resolutions and/or at different frame rates.However, the source encoder system 12 uses multiple encoders to generatethe alternative streams and each particular encoder generates an MPD forthe segments of the stream or streams generated by the particularencoder. The MPDs generated by the various encoders and the containerfiles are uploaded to an HTTP server 14. A variety of playback devicescan then use HTTP or another appropriate stateless protocol to requestportions of the MPDs, index files, and the container files via a network16 such as the Internet.

In the illustrated embodiment, playback devices that can performadaptive bitrate streaming using the MPDs from the various encodersinclude personal computers 18, CE players, and mobile phones 20. Inaccordance with some other embodiments, playback devices can includeconsumer electronics devices such as DVD players, Blu-ray players,televisions, set top boxes, video game consoles, tablets, virtualreality headsets, augmented reality headsets and other devices that arecapable of connecting to a server via a communication protocol including(but not limited to) HTTP and playing back encoded media. Although aspecific architecture is shown in FIG. 1, any of a variety ofarchitectures including systems that perform conventional streaming andnot adaptive bitrate streaming can be utilized that enable playbackdevices to request portions of the MPDs and the container files inaccordance with various embodiments of the invention.

Encoder System

An encoder system that uses multiple encoders to encode video contentinto alternative streams for use in adaptive bitrate streaming inaccordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2.Encoding system 200 includes a router 205 and an encoding server 202communicatively connected to router 205. One skilled in the art willrecognize that any number of servers or processors may be connected torouter 205 without departing from this invention and that only oneserver is shown for clarity and brevity. The encoder includes multipleencoders 215-218. In accordance with some embodiments, each of theencoders 215-218 is an instantiation of software that is being executedby the processor from instructions stored in a memory to perform thedecoding and/or encoding of the source content. In accordance with someother embodiments, one or more of encoders 215-218 is a particularhardware component in the server that encodes received content. In stillother embodiments, one or more of the encoders may be a firmwarecomponent in which hardware and software are used to provide theencoder. The router provides an incoming source stream of video contentto each of the encoders 215-218 of the server 210. In accordance withsome embodiments, the router transmits a copy of the stream to each ofthe encoders. In accordance with some other embodiments, the server 210receives the source stream and provides a copy of the incoming sourcestream to each of the encoders 215 as the source stream is received. Thesource stream includes embedded timing information.

Although a specific architecture of a server system is shown in FIG. 2,any of a variety of architectures including systems that encode videocontent from a received stream can be utilized in accordance withvarious embodiments of the invention.

Playback Device

Processes that provide the methods and systems for using the alternativestreams generated by multiple encoders in accordance with someembodiments of this invention are executed by a playback device. Therelevant components in a playback device that can perform the processesin accordance with an embodiment of the invention are shown in FIG. 3.One skilled in the art will recognize that playback devices may includeother components that are omitted for brevity without departing fromdescribed embodiments of this invention. The playback device 300includes a processor 305, a non-volatile memory 310, and a volatilememory 315. The processor 305 is a processor, microprocessor,controller, or a combination of processors, microprocessor, and/orcontrollers that performs instructions stored in the volatile memory 315or non-volatile memory 310 to manipulate data stored in the memory. Thenon-volatile memory 310 can store the processor instructions utilized toconfigure the playback device 300 to perform processes includingprocesses for using alternative streams encoded by multiple encoders toobtain video content using adaptive bit rate streaming in accordancewith some embodiments of the invention. In accordance with various otherembodiments, the playback device may have hardware and/or firmware thatcan include the instructions and/or perform these processes. Inaccordance with still other embodiments, the instructions for theprocesses can be stored in any of a variety of non-transitory computerreadable media appropriate to a specific application.

Servers

Process in a method and system of encoding video content into streamsfor adaptive bitrate streaming using multiple encoders in accordancewith an embodiment of this invention are performed by an encoder such asan encoding server. The relevant components in an encoding server thatperform these processes in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention are shown in FIG. 4. One skilled in the art will recognizethat a server may include other components that are omitted for brevitywithout departing from the described embodiments of this invention. Theserver 400 includes a processor 405, a non-volatile memory 410, and avolatile memory 415. The processor 405 is a processor, microprocessor,controller, or a combination of processors, microprocessor, and/orcontrollers that performs instructions stored in the volatile 415 ornon-volatile memory 410 to manipulate data stored in the memory. Thenon-volatile memory 410 can store the processor instructions utilized toconfigure the server 400 to perform processes including processes forencoding media content and/or generating marker information inaccordance with some embodiments of the invention and/or data for theprocesses being utilized. In accordance with various embodiments, theseinstructions may be in server software and/or firmware can be stored inany of a variety of non-transitory computer readable media appropriateto a specific application. Although a specific server is illustrated inFIG. 4, any of a variety of servers configured to perform any number ofprocesses can be utilized in accordance with various embodiments of theinvention.

Encoding of Video Content into Alternative Streams for Adaptive BitrateStreaming Using Multiple Encoders in an Encoding System

In accordance with some embodiments, an encoding system encodes videocontent into alternative streams for adaptive bitrate streaming usingmultiple encoders. In accordance with some embodiments of the invention,the encoders are software encoders that are instantiations of softwareinstructions read from a memory that can be performed or executed by aprocessor. Software encoders may be used when it is desirable to reducethe cost of the encoders and/or to improve the scalability of the systemas only processing and memory resources are needed to add additionalencoders to the system. In accordance with many embodiments, one or moreof the multiple encoders are hardware encoders. Hardware encoders arecircuitry that is configured to perform the processes for encoding thereceived content into one or more streams. In accordance with a numberof embodiments, one or more of the encoders may be firmware encoders. Afirmware encoder combines some hardware components and some softwareprocesses to provide an encoder.

The video content may be received as a source stream from a contentprovider. In accordance with some embodiments, the video content is alive broadcast meaning the video content is being captured and streamedin real time. The video content may include time information. The timeinformation may include, but is not limited to, a broadcast time, apresentation time and/or a time recorded. Each of the encoders receivesthe source stream of video content and generates portions of thealternative streams. In accordance with some embodiments, each of themultiple encoders produces a single stream having encoder specificparameters from the source stream. In accordance with some otherembodiments, the encoding system includes a number of encoders (N) andeach encoder encodes a portion (e.g. 1/N) of the source stream multipletimes using different sets of encoding parameters to create segments foreach of the streams in an adaptation set of streams. Processes forencoding alternative streams of video content from a source stream ofvideo content using multiple encoders in accordance with some differentembodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A flow chart of a process performed by at least one of a set of multipleencoders to generate a single stream of the alternative streams from thesource stream of video content in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention is shown in FIG. 5. In process 500, the encoder receives aportion of a source stream of video content that includes timinginformation (505). In accordance with some embodiments, the encoders mayuse time information received with the portion to determine at whatpoint in the stream the encoder is to start encoding the stream. As theencoders are using the same timing information, the encoding performedby the encoders is synchronized such that the segments produced by eachencoder include the same duration of video content to present in termsof presentation time and the segments are aligned. The encoder uses theportion of the source stream of video content to encode a segment of astream of video content that has specified parameters particular to theencoder (510). In accordance with some embodiments, the specifiedparameters of the stream generated by each encoder include a differentmaximum bitrate.

In accordance with some other embodiments, the streams from two or moreencoders have the same maximum bitrate and different aspect ratios,resolutions, and/or frame rates. The encoder also generates index ormanifest information for the generated segment (515). The generatedsegment is stored in the container of the stream being generated by theencoder (520) and the index or manifest information is added to themanifest or index file for the stream stored in memory and/or deliveredto client playback devices as an update (525). Process 500 repeats untilthe encoder receives the end of the stream and/or reception of thestream is halted in some other manner (530).

Although various examples of processes performed by an encoder forencoding one of a set alternative streams of video content are describedabove, one skilled in the art will recognize that other processes forencoding the streams may be performed in accordance with someembodiments of the invention.

In accordance with some other embodiments of the invention, the encodingsystem includes a number of encoders (N) and each encoder encodes aportion (e.g. 1/N) of the source stream multiple times using differentsets of encoding parameters to create segments for each of the streamsin an adaptation set of streams. Each encoder is assigned an encoderorder position M where M is a number between 1 and M. The first encoderencodes the first portion of the source stream and every Nth portionreceived thereafter into segments of each of the alternative streams.The second encoder handles the second received portion of the sourcestream and every Nth portion received thereafter into segments of eachof the alternative streams. Likewise, the remaining encoders in theencoding order 1 through N encode the Mth received portion of the everyNth portion received thereafter into segments of the various alternativestreams where M is the encoding order position. Thus, each encoder onlyencodes 1/N of the total number of segments of the source streams intoalternative streams. This type of encoding causes the availability ofsegments to be N*|segment duration| and not real time. Thus, theavailability time of the segments may need to be added to information inthe manifest to allow clients to know when the segments will beavailable. A flow diagram of a process performed by each of the Nencoders to generate every Nth segment of the video content from thesource stream in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shownin FIG. 6.

In process 600, the encoder receives a portion of a source stream ofvideo content that includes timing information (605). In accordance withsome embodiments, the encoders may use time information received withthe portion to determine at what point in the stream the encoder is tostart encoding the stream. As the encoders are using the same timinginformation from the source stream, the encoding performed by theencoders is synchronized such that the segments produced by each encoderinclude the same amount of video content to present in terms ofpresentation time and the segments are aligned with subsequent segments.

The encoder then determines whether the received portion is one of theNth portions of the source stream to handle (610). The determination maybe performed by using a counter to count the received portions andcompare the current count to M and determine whether the count is equalto or a factor of M where M is the encoder position order in accordancewith some embodiments. In accordance with some other embodiments,metadata for the received portions of the source streams are used tomake the determination.

If the received portion is not one of the portions the encoder is tohandle, the encoder discards the received portion of the stream (615).If the received portion is determined to be one of the portions of theincoming streams the encoder is to encode, the encoder encodes theportion in segments for each of the alternative streams based upon thespecific parameters for each of the alternative streams (620). Theparameters of the streams include, but are not limited to, maximumbitrates, resolution, aspect ratio, and frame rate.

The encoder also generates index or manifest information for each of thegenerated segments (625). This includes generating manifest informationfor each of the alternative streams. Each of the generated segments isstored in the container(s) of the appropriate alternative stream (630)and the index or manifest information is added to an appropriatemanifest or index file(s) (635). In accordance with some embodiments,manifest or index information is added to the MPD for the alternativestreams stored in memory. In accordance with some other embodiments, themanifest or index information is added to an MPD for the segmentsencoded by the encoder. In still other embodiments, the manifest orindex information is delivered to client playback devices as an update.Process 600 repeats until the encoder receives the end of the streamand/or reception of the stream is halted in some other manner (640).

Although various examples of processes performed by an encoder forencoding every Nth segment for each of the alternative streams of videocontent are described above, one skilled in the art will recognize thatother processes for encoding the portions for the streams may beperformed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention.

Process Performed by a Playback Device to Obtain Video Content UsingAlternative Streams Generated by Multiple Encoders

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, a playback deviceuses the streams generated by the multiple encoders to obtain the videocontent for playback. In accordance with some embodiments of theinvention, the playback devices adaptive bit rate streaming to obtainthe media content from the alternative streams generated using multipleencoders. To do so, the playback device must receive the MPD generatedby each of the encoders to generate a combined adaptation set for use inobtaining the segments using adaptive bit rate streaming. In accordancewith some embodiments, the combined adaptation set is generated basedupon timestamps embedded in the MPD generated by each of the encoders. Aprocess performed by a playback device to perform adaptive bitratestreaming in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown inFIG. 7.

In process 700, the playback device requests the index or manifestinformation for the video content (705). The playback device receivesthe MPD or index files generated by each encoders as the encodersgenerate the segments of the alternative streams (710). The playbackdevice generates a combined adaptive set from the index or manifestinformation in the MPDs from the encoders using the embedded time stampsin each of the MPDs (715). In accordance with some embodiments, thecombined adaptive set generated has the same format as a MPD and isgenerated by populating the combine adaptive set with the index ormanifest information from the received MPD. The combined adaptive set isused by the playback device to perform adaptive bit rate streaming toobtain the video content for playback (720). In accordance with someembodiments, the playback device uses the combined adaptive set torequest portions of the video content. In accordance with someembodiments of the invention, the playback device monitors the networkbandwidth for communications over the network between the playbackdevice and the content provider system; and selects streams of the audioand/or video content that are encoded at highest maximum bitrates thatcan be handled in accordance with the measured bandwidth. Systems andmethods for selecting a stream and commencing playback include thosedisclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2013/0007200 entitled“Systems and Methods for Determining Available Bandwidth and PerformingInitial Stream Selection When Commencing Streaming Using HypertextTransfer Protocol” and U.S. Pat. No. 8,832,297 entitled “Systems andMethods for Performing Multiphase Adaptive Bitrate Streaming,” thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety. More particularly, the processes performed by a playbackdevice to obtain the video content using adaptive bit rate streamingdescribed in these references are incorporated herein by reference.

Although a process performed by a playback device to obtain videocontent performing adaptive bit rate streaming using the alternativestreams generated by multiple encoders in accordance with an embodimentof the invention is disclosed in FIG. 7, other processes may beperformed by a playback device to obtain video content using alternativestreams generated by multiple encoders in accordance with embodiments ofthe invention.

Although the present invention has been described in certain specificaspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparentto those skilled in the art. Specifically, this invention may be used inassociation with trick play tracks where only certain frames of thetrick-play track are shown in accordance with some embodiments of theinvention. It is therefore to be understood that the present inventionmay be practiced otherwise than specifically described, includingvarious changes in the implementation such as utilizing encoders anddecoders that support features beyond those specified within aparticular standard with which they comply, without departing from thescope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, embodiments of thepresent invention should be considered in all respects as illustrativeand not restrictive.

What is claimed:
 1. A method for encoding a plurality of alternativestreams of video content from a source stream of video content using aplurality of encoders in an encoding system, the method comprising:receiving a plurality of portions of a source stream of video content ineach of a plurality of encoders in the encoding system; wherein theplurality of encoders include N encoders where N is an integer; whereinthe plurality of portions of the source streams includes greater than Nportions; assigning each of the N encoders an Mth encoding order where Mis an integer from 1 to N; determining the Mth portion of the sourcestream received in each Mth one of the N encoders and every Nth portionreceived thereafter from the source stream as a set of portions of thesource stream for the Mth encoder to encode in each of the N encoders;encoding a portion of the plurality of alternative streams in each ofthe plurality of encoders using the determined sets of portions of thesource stream received in each of the plurality of encoders; storing theportion of the plurality of alternative streams encoded by eachparticular one of the plurality of encoders in a container for theparticular one of the encoders; generating index information for theportion of the alternative streams encoded by each particular one of theplurality of encoders; and storing the index information in a manifestfor the portion of the plurality of alternative streams generated byeach of the particular encoders in a manifest of the particular one ofthe plurality of encoders.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the portionof the alternative streams encoded by each of the plurality of encodersis one of the plurality of alternative streams and the method furthercomprises: receiving each of the plurality of portions of the sourcestream in each of the plurality of encoders; encoding a segment of analternative stream from each of the plurality of portions of the sourcestreams to generate a plurality of segments of the alternative stream ineach of the plurality of encoders where each particular alternativestream generated by each particular one of the plurality of encoders hasa particular set of parameters; generating index information for each ofthe plurality of segments generated by a particular one of the pluralityof encoders in each particular one of the plurality of encoders; andstoring the index information generated by each particular one of theplurality of encoders in a manifest for the particular one of theplurality of encoders to generate a plurality of manifests.
 3. Themethod of claim 2 wherein an alternative stream from the plurality ofalterative streams generated by a particular one of the plurality ofencoders has a particular maximum bitrate as a parameter.
 4. The methodof claim 2 wherein at least two alternative streams from the pluralityof alternative streams generated by different ones of the plurality ofencoders have a same maximum bitrate and at least one other parameterthat is different.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the at least oneother parameter is selected from a group of parameters consisting ofaspect ratio, frame rate, and resolution.
 6. The method of claim 1:wherein the encoding of a portion includes encoding each portion in theset of portions from the source stream of the Mth encoder into pluralityof segments where each of the plurality of segments is a segment in oneof the plurality of alternative streams in each of the N encoders;wherein the generating of the index information includes generatingindex information for each of the plurality of segments generated foreach of the portions from the set of portions of the Mth encoder in eachof the N encoders; and wherein the storing of the index informationincludes storing the index information for each of the plurality ofsegments generated from each portion in the set of portions by the Mthencoder in a manifest for the Mth encoder using each of the N encoders.7. The method of claim 6 further comprising discarding each of theportions from the plurality of portions that is not in the set ofportions for the Mth encoder in each of the N encoders.
 8. An encodingsystem for encoding a plurality of alternative streams of video contentfrom a source stream of video content comprising: at least oneprocessor; memory accessible by the at least one processor; andinstructions stored in the memory that when read by the at least oneprocessor direct the processor to: provide a plurality of encoders whereeach of the plurality of encoders is directed to: receive a plurality ofportions of a source stream of video content; wherein the plurality ofencoders include N encoders where N is an integer; wherein the pluralityof portions of the source streams includes greater than N portions;assign each of the N encoders an Mth encoding order where M is aninteger from 1 to N; determine the Mth portion of the source streamreceived in each Mth one of the N encoders and every Nth portionreceived thereafter from the source stream as a set of portions of thesource stream for the Mth encoder to encode in each of the N encoders;encode a portion of the plurality of alternative streams using thedetermine sets of portions of the source stream; store the portion ofthe plurality of alternative streams encoded in a container particularto the encoder; generate index information for the portion of thealternative streams encoded by the encoder; and store the indexinformation in a manifest for the portion of the plurality ofalternative streams generated by the encoder.
 9. The system of claim 8wherein the portion of the alternative streams encoded by each of theplurality of encoders is one of the plurality of alternative streams andeach of the plurality of encoders is further directed to: receive eachof the plurality of portions of the source stream; encode a segment of aparticular alternative stream from each of the plurality of portions ofthe source streams to generate a plurality of segments of thealternative stream where each particular alternative stream hasparticular parameters; generate index information for each of theplurality of segments generated; and store the index informationgenerated in a manifest for the particular one of the plurality ofencoders.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein the alternative stream fromthe plurality of streams generated by a particular one of the pluralityof encoders has a particular maximum bitrate as a parameter.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9 wherein at least two of the alternative streams fromthe plurality of alternative streams generated by different ones of theplurality of encoders have a same maximum bitrate and at least one otherparameter that is different.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the atleast one other parameter is selected from a group of parametersconsisting of aspect ratio, frame rate, and resolution.
 13. The systemof claim 8 wherein each of the N encoders is further directed to: encodeeach portion in the set of portions from the source stream of the intoplurality of segments where each of the plurality of segments is asegment in one of the plurality of alternative streams; generate indexinformation for each of the plurality of segments generated for each ofthe portions from the set of portions of the Mth encoder; and store theindex information for each of the plurality of segments generated fromeach portion in the set of portions in a manifest for the Mth encoder.14. The system of claim 13 wherein each of the N encoders is furtherdirected to discard each of the portions from the plurality of portionsthat is not in the set of portions for the Mth encoder.